http://repository.aust.edu.ng/xmlui/handle/123456789/239 Conference, Workshops, Seminars held in the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria. Thu, 07 May 2026 19:04:54 GMT 2026-05-07T19:04:54Z http://repository.aust.edu.ng/xmlui/handle/123456789/5202 LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY FOR GENDER-INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA: ASSESSING DIGITAL STRATEGIES TO ADVANCE GENDER EQUALITY Ekaette, Glory Edem; Ogundipe, Biodun Bukky; Obi-Emeruwa, Ugonna; Aje-Iroye, Deborah This study examines the role of technology in advancing gender-inclusive governance in Nigeria, with a focus on evaluating digital strategies that can promote gender equality and enhance women's participation in governance. Despite Nigeria’s commitment to international frameworks such as the Beijing Declaration and Sustainable Development Goal 5, systemic gender disparities persist in political representation, economic opportunities, and social inclusion. Traditional policy approaches have often fallen short due to entrenched cultural norms, limited access to resources, and inadequate institutional mechanisms. In response, this research investigates how technological innovations, including egovernance platforms, mobile applications, and data analytics, can serve as transformative tools for addressing these challenges. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of existing digital initiatives with qualitative insights from interviews with policymakers, civil society actors, and women leaders. Key findings reveal that digital tools have the potential to amplify women’s voices, streamline access to government services, and facilitate evidence-based policymaking through disaggregated data collection. However, significant barriers remain, including the digital gender divide, low levels of digital literacy among women, and infrastructural limitations in rural areas. To address these gaps, the study recommends targeted investments in digital infrastructure, capacity-building programs for women, and the integration of gender-responsive design principles into technological solutions. By leveraging technology strategically, Nigeria can move closer to achieving gender equality and fostering inclusive governance systems that reflect the needs and aspirations of all citizens. This research contributes to ongoing global discussions on the intersection of technology, governance, and gender equity. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.aust.edu.ng/xmlui/handle/123456789/5202 2026-01-22T00:00:00Z http://repository.aust.edu.ng/xmlui/handle/123456789/5181 From Research to Policy: Evaluating Climate Communication Practices in Nigeria Ekpolomo, Onyebuchi; Joseph, Nsima Ekanem; Ogundipe, Biodun; Sadiq, Faisal; Ihekweme, Gina Udochi; Dibiamaka, Jennifer Chukwufunnaya; Shuaibu, Oyamine Ralia In Nigeria, institutional communication plays a vital role in translating climate research into policy and governance actions. Despite increasing awareness of environmental challenges such as flooding, desertification, and energy transition, many research findings remain underutilized due to weak institutional linkages and limited communication capacity. This paper employs a desk research methodology to evaluate how Nigerian ministries, agencies, and research institutions communicate climate-related knowledge to support policy development. It reviews reports, policy briefs, and scholarly publications to assess institutional communication practices and their effectiveness in bridging the research–policy gap. The study identifies both successful mechanisms and persistent challenges, including bureaucratic bottlenecks, weak coordination, and limited access to research outputs. It concludes that strengthening institutional communication frameworks is key to advancing evidence-informed climate governance in Nigeria. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.aust.edu.ng/xmlui/handle/123456789/5181 2026-01-22T00:00:00Z http://repository.aust.edu.ng/xmlui/handle/123456789/5141 Book of Abstracts Akpan, L. Morgan According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the average amount of minerals required for a new power generation unit has increased by more than 50% over the years due to the rise in the share of renewable energy sources in the global energy mix. From this singular indicator, it is evident that the demand for minerals needed to manufacture and sustain power generation systems to achieve the global agenda on energy transition will continue to rise. Given that the low-emission energy and transportation systems are more mineral-intensive than their fossil fuel counterparts, the energy transition window provides a great opportunity for the solid minerals subsector. Further, as the world population grows, the infrastructure needed to meet the demands for transportation, housing, clean water, sanitation, etc. will continue to increase the need for solid minerals. While lithium presently enjoys the fastest growth rate in terms of demand, it is projected that the global demand for mineral resources required to satisfy technological and industrial applications by 2040 will be dominated by graphite, copper, and nickel. Nigeria is endowed with significant mineral resources, but most remain untapped. In a report published by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2019, it was stated that the mining sector in Nigeria accounted for only 0.5% of the GDP and a paltry 0.3% of employment. These numbers are a far cry from what they should be, going by the enormous solid mineral resources that the country is endowed with. Recent records have it that the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD) in Nigeria has identified more than 40 unexploited solid minerals in commercial quantity across the country. It is estimated that Africa accounts for about 30% of all global mineral reserves. But due to the emphasis on the export of raw materials in the continent, the region is yet to derive full benefits from these natural endowments as evident in the low foreign exchange earnings from the subsector across the continent as well as lower employment levels in the sector compared to other resource-rich countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Indeed, solid minerals are gradually becoming a “resource curse”, with dire health and environmental consequences as seen in DR Congo and other countries in the region. Using Nigeria as a reference, among the issues impeding the sub-Saharan Africa region’s aspiration of using solid mineral resources to diversify its economy include a lack of indigenous capacity, inadequate policy and analytical systems, lack of equipment, infrastructural deficit, security threats, etc. Industrialized countries that have good governance and socioeconomic base to deliver goods and services to their citizens usually place a strong emphasis on tertiary education, research, technology diffusion, and the appropriate policy mix that encourages innovation. This is the route that African countries must take to turn around the socio-economic fortunes of the continent. ACMED 1ST COSMIRTEP 2023 provides a platform to articulate research results, policy options, and socioeconomic dynamics with which African countries can make informed decisions in the area of solid minerals and mining which is unanimously agreed to hold great potential for the continent in terms of job creation, income generation through foreign exchange, foreign direct investment, poverty reduction, among others. In line with one of our core mandates as a regional research-focused University which is to generate and disseminate knowledge and information which are critical for African renaissance and economic growth in the 21st century, this International conference is organized by the African Centre for Mineral Exploration and Development (ACMED), a research-focused center was established and domiciled in the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, Nigeria to engage stakeholders in the analysis of the challenges, prospects, and opportunities in the solid mineral subsector across the continent. The challenges that confront Africa’s solid mineral subsector are also opportunities for the generation and enfranchisement of knowledge to address them. This conference presents an opportunity to network and harness the enormous knowledge base of Africans at home and in the diaspora with the ultimate goal of using solid mineral resources as one of the instruments for the socioeconomic transformation of the continent. The issues raised in this rationale informed the objectives of the Conference which are as follows: • To identify, synthesize, and analyze the factors impeding sustainable and optimum utilization of solid mineral resources in Africa and proffer solutions to them • To engage researchers/experts, policymakers, politicians, investors, innovators, and other stakeholders in the analysis of the challenges and opportunities presented by the solid mineral subsector under the global energy transition • To provide a platform for stakeholders, including Africans in the diaspora, professional societies, public institutions, private sector, academic institutions, and students to identify deficiencies and opportunities recommend solutions, and initiate collaborative projects and programs on sustainable and optimal utilization of solid minerals for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the continent. To provide an opportunity for research partnerships, bilateral cooperation, networking, business matching, signing of agreements and partnerships, etc. among the stakeholders in the Sector. Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.aust.edu.ng/xmlui/handle/123456789/5141 2023-11-29T00:00:00Z http://repository.aust.edu.ng/xmlui/handle/123456789/609 Fiber Cement Materials for housing and infrastructure applications contribution to Developing Regions Savastano, Holmer NA Wed, 12 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.aust.edu.ng/xmlui/handle/123456789/609 2017-07-12T00:00:00Z